A curiosity about the the Riksdag is that the MP's are seated by constituency and not party. So, all MP's from the City of Stockholm constituency are seated together, and the MP's from Dalarna County constituency and so on and on. Members of the government in the very front to the right, seen from the Speaker.

The exit march, 'Grand march' by Charles Voss is the same used as entrance march during the State Opening of Parliament in the Hall of State at the Royal Palace.

This year they don't wear their costumes, so it might be some kind of "taking back"the meaning of national costumes from the Sweden Democrats.

Member of Parliament for the liberal Center party, Martin Åstrand specifically states in a tweet that he wears the Leksand costume because he doesn't want the use of the national costumes and national symbols to be hijacked by bigoted and narrow-minded forces.

I´m not that good at swedish, but as far as I understood the King´s speech, he doesn´t seem to read new legislation from the government, but gives a historic summary of parliamentary life in Sweden and some words of encouragement, right?!

I´m sorry, nothing against the King, it was not his fault he was stripped from all his powers, but I wonder how sensible this, forgive me, sorry role of the monarchy is at this particular event...?!

I think only the monarchs in Britain, Norway and the Netherlands have a really vital and meaningful part to play at this ceremony (I don´t know about Spain?!?).

I´m not that good at swedish, but as far as I understood the King´s speech, he doesn´t seem to read new legislation from the government, but gives a historic summary of parliamentary life in Sweden and some words of encouragement, right?!

I´m sorry, nothing against the King, it was not his fault he was stripped from all his powers, but I wonder how sensible this, forgive me, sorry role of the monarchy is at this particular event...?!

I think only the monarchs in Britain, Norway and the Netherlands have a really vital and meaningful part to play at this ceremony (I don´t know about Spain?!?).

Prior to 1975, the King was still the formal head of the executive branch and he actually read a speech from the throne much like the one in the UK or in the Netherlands. Nowadays, he only declares the parliamentary session open at the request of the Speaker of the Riksdag, as required in the Parliament Act.

In a way, however, I think King's speech in Sweden is actually more meaningful now than in the UK or in the Netherlands because he is not simply reading a speech written by someone else about a legislative agenda he may or may not personally agree with. Instead, the Swedish King, despite having to stay politically neutral, has the opportunity to convey his own thoughts and ideas to the members of Parliament.

Prior to 1975, the King was still the formal head of the executive branch and he actually read a speech from the throne much like the one in the UK or in the Netherlands. Nowadays, he only declares the parliamentary session open at the request of the Speaker of the Riksdag, as required in the Parliament Act.

In a way, however, I think King's speech in Sweden is actually more meaningful now than in the UK or in the Netherlands because he is not simply reading a speech written by someone else about a legislative agenda he may or may not personally agree with. Instead, the Swedish King, despite having to stay politically neutral, has the opportunity to convey his own thoughts and ideas to the members of Parliament.

The theme of the King's speech is often a broad stroke on an important subject like the environment or immigration. This year he focused on the importance of protecting our democracy. Something that, as we see around the world and in Sweden, is very much a contemporary issue and an issue that's growing more and more important. The King is in general successful in staying clear of siding with any political parties although his clear stance on democracy, the environment and immigration in itself can be interpreted as choosing a side. Especially by those who has the dismantling of the liberal democracy, denies climate change and are against immigration.